Multiple-disk clutch.



FREDERICK CLARKE,;-0F FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 COLBURNMACHINE TOOL COMPANY, OF FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OFPENNSYLVANIA.

MULTIPLE-DISK CLUTCH.

Patented June 2d, 1916.

Application filed December 3, 1914, Serial No. 875,332. Renewed May 10,1916. Serial N0..96,710.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK F. CLARKE,citizen of the United States, residing at Franklin, in the county. ofVenango and State of Pennsylvania, have-invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Multiple-Disk Clutches, of which the following is aspecification.

The object, construction and operation of this invention are herein setforth with sufficient clearness to enable those skilled in the art towhich it relates, to make and use the same.

The object of my invention isto provide a compact, efficient,multiple-disk pulley, adapted especially for use on'machine-tools,having all its operating mechanism contained and inclosed within the hubof the pulley, where it is protected from dust and injury. 1

A further object is to eliminate projecting parts usually found inclutches of this type, and which are a source of more or less danger tooperatives.

The construction whereby I attain these objects, is clearly illustratedin the drawings which form a part hereof in which Figure 1 is a centraldiametral section of the pulley and its hub. Fig. 2 is a fragmentaryview showing a transverse" section on line II of Fig. 1. a

As here shown, my device consists of a pulley 1, adapted to be driven bya belt, and having an enlarged hub 2, which is revolubly mounted upon ashaft 3, that is to be driven. Upon said shaft, within said hub is keyeda spider The inner wall of said hub is provided with a plurality ofgrooves or seats 5, and the periphery of the hub of said spider islikewise provided with a plurality of similar grooves 6, which grooves 5and 6 extend longitudinally of the respective element in which they areformed, and preferably parallel with each other. Between the wall ofsaid hub 2 and the periphery of the hub of said spider, is formed anannular space in which are placed a plurality of annuli or disks 7 and8: Each of the disks 7 is provided upon its periphery with integral keys9, corresponding in number and position to the number and pos1t10n ofgrooves or seats 5; these are termed the drive disks. Each of the disks8 is provided with integral, inwardly-projectin keys 10, corclutchresponding in number and position, to the disks 7 with disks 8, or tocause the discontinuance of such transmissive action.

For the purpose of causing the inter-engagement of the disks 7 with thedisks 8, and

the transmission above stated, I provide a compression ring 12 which isadaptedto bear against the adjacentdisk 7, and the compression andtransmissive inter-engagement of said disks 7 and 8 is caused bytoggle-links 13 and 14, which are actuated by the arm 15, one end ofwhich is attached to said links, and the other end thereof to the collar16, which is mounted upon the shaft 3, and is movable longitudinallythereon by means of the rod 17 which is located inside said shaft, thesame being hollow for the reception of said rod, and is provided with aslot 17 through which the gib 17 extends and engages said collar 16.Link .13 is attached at its other end to the spider 4.

In Fig. 1 the mechanism is shown, by the full lines, in the operativeposition, that is,

ring 12 is in the compression position, causing the inter-engagement ofthe disks 7 and 8, which causes the whole mechanism to turn with thepulley as a unitary structure, and drives the shaft 3. When a release ofthe clutch is desired, collar 16 is moved to the position shown indotted lines in Fig. 1 which withdraws ring 12 from its compressionposition against said disks whereupon disks 7 are free .to move betweendisks 8 and no motion is then transmitted to the spider 4 or shaft 3't0which said spider is keyed.

In order that the proper degree of frictional or transmissive pressuremay be socured between disks 7 and 8, also to provide for taking up wearbetween the same, adjustment is provided for in the following manner:Against the outermost disk 7 is I placed an adjusting ring 18. Aplurality of pins 19 pass through the adjacent wall of the hub 2, andthe inner end of each of said pins bears against said ring 18. The outerend of eachof said pins is secured to a plate 20, which is mounted upona hub or boss 21, that is formed integrally with hub 2. Said bossprojects through the center of said plate 20, and the outer end of saidboss is externally screw-threaded. A nut 22 is screwed upon said threadwith its inner face bearing against the adjacent face of said plate 20,and by'this means, pins 19 may be caused to move inwardly, therebyadjusting ring 18 inwardly any desired amount, for the purpose abovestated, and by this provision the clutch may be adjusted to transmit thedesired amount of power, and its efliciency be thereby easily andproperly maintained.

Any suitable deviceimay be employed to actuate rod 17 longitudinally,the particular means which I have thus far employedbeing shown in mvco-pendinq application for a patent for improvements in speed gearingfor boring mills, Serial Number 87 5,329 filed at even date herewith.

Applicant is aware that disks substantially such as are here shown havehereto fore been employed in clutches, and considering same as separateelements, does not claim the same as new; but the embodiment of the samewithin the hub of a pulley, in combination with the other elements asshown, for operably inter-engaging said disks, and for obtaining andmaintaining theproper operative adjustment thereof, applicant believesto be new.

I claim 1. In a multiple-disk clutch-pulley, in combination, a pulleyadapted to be power driven and provided with an enlarged hub, therebeing a chamber within said hub, a shaft extending revolubly throughsaid hub and chamber, a spider positioned within said chamber andrigidly secured to said shaft,- there being also a collar-chamber withinone end of said spider, a plurality of frictional annuli positionedwithin said hub chamber and surrounding one end of said spider, eachalternate annulus being operably engaged by said hub, and eachintermediate annulus being operably engaged by said spider, saidalternate and said intermediate annuli being normally free, from eachother, or interengagement; a rigid bearing for the outermost-positionedannulus, a compression ring arranged in contact with theinnermostpositioned annulus, a toggle connected at one end to saidcompression-ring and at the other end to said spider, alongitudinallymovable collar mounted upon said shaft and positionedwithin said collar chamber, arms pivotally connected at one end to saidcollar and at their other end to the intermediate joint of said toggle,and means operable to move said collar longitudinally of said shaft forthe purpose of actuating said annuli into operable frictionalengagement, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a multiple-disk clutch-pulley, in combination, a pulley adapted tobe power driven and provided with an enlarged hub, there being a chamberwithin said hub, a shaft extending revolubly through said hub andchamber, a spider positioned within said chamber and rigidly secured tosaid shaft, there being also, a. collar-chamber within one end of saidspider, a plurality of frictional annuli positioned within saidhubchamber and surrounding one end of said spider, each alternateannulus being engaged by said hub and each intermediate annulus operablyengaging said spider, said tact with the innermost-positioned annulus,

toggles connected at one end to said compression ring and. at the otherend to sa1d spider, a longitudinally-movable collar mounted upon saidshaft and positioned within said collar-chamber, arms pivotallyconnected at one end to said collar and at their other end to theintermediate joint of said toggle, and means operable to move sa1dcollar longitudinally of said shaft for the purpose of actuating saidannuli into operable frictional interengagement, as and for the purposeset forth.

3. In a multiple-disk clutch-pulley, in combination, a pulley adapted tobe power driven and provided with an enlarged hub, there being-a chamberwithin said hub, a hollow shaft extending revolubly through said hub andsaid chamber, a spider positioned within said chamber and rigidlysecured to said shaft, there being a collarchamber within one end ofsaid spider, a plurality of frictional annuli positioned within saidhub-chamber and surrounding one end of said spider, each alternateannulus being operably engaged by said hub,

a each intermediate annulus being in operable engagement with saidspider, said alternate annuli and said intermediate annuli beingnormally free from each other, a rigid bearing for the outer-mostpositioned annulus means adapted to adjust sa1d bearing 1nwardly, acompression-ring arranged in coning for the outermost-positionedannulus, toggles connected at one end to sa1d compression ring and atthe other end to said spider, a longitudinally-movable collar mountedupon said shaft and positioned within said collar-chamber, armspivotally 1,188,04L1 ell;

connected at one end to said collar and at said annuli is caused, forthe purpose set their other end to the intermediate joint of forth. 10said toggle, a longitudinally movable rod In testimony whereof I aflixmy signature positioned within said hollow shaft, and in presence of twowitnesses.

engaging said collar and operable to move FREDERICK F. CLARKE. samelongitudinally of said shaft for the Witnesses: purpose of actuatingsaid compression ring, MARY B. EoKER'r,

whereby the operable, interengagement of RAY S. CLARKE.

